Bank Deficit Freezes EVE Accounts
From the MMO-as-IRL file, EVE Online’s biggest bank has frozen accounts for anyone who invested any kredits with it, after it was discovered that the bank is 380bn kredits in the hole, without the funds to cover player withdrawals.
EBank, the institution in question, was also hit by a naked fraud scheme earlier this year, in which an embezzler stole 200bn kredits and resold it all for real world cash. The episode caused an actual run on the virtual bank. Now its new chairman has admitted the bank’s rampant mismanagement without following rules, safeguards and controls, has led to a 380 billion ISK shortfall.
The bank’s board of directors report that it faces a deficit of about 1.2 trillion ISK, which increases about 12 billion ISK a month. According to the bank chief, “withdrawals will be allowed once the bank achieves a maintainable equity status of 90% (1.8t currently); they will be stopped again should that fall below 80%.”
See? Aren’t MMOs fun? You can escape from the global economic collapse to roleplay manage – a galactic economic collapse!
Virtual Bank in EVE Freezes Accounts Due to Deficit [Ars Technica]
250GB Xbox 360 Looking More Likely
One listing for a 250GB Xbox 360 could be an accident. A typo. But two in two days, on opposite ends of the planet, well, that’s something else.
This is an ad from South African retailer BT Games, showing a “Super Elite” Xbox 360 that packs a 250GB HDD. Interesting. Certainly makes the German version seem a lot less like an error and a lot more like a genuine product.
Perhaps even more telling than the South African listing, however, is Microsoft’s response to yesterday’s Amazon Germany reveal. Asked for comment on the supposed leak, Microsoft did not respond with their customary “We don’t comment on rumours and speculation”, instead telling Kotaku “We’ve made no such announcement”.
No, you haven’t. A couple of retailers have made it for you!
250GB Xbox 360 Super Elite coming to SA in October [xboxgaming]
Cryptic: Microsoft’s Behavior Means No Champions This Year
Jack Emmert, the Cryptic chief creative officer, says Microsoft has a “baffling” issue with MMOs, and it’s holding up the console release of Champions Online.
In a VG247 podcast, Emmert says Cryptic has a 360 version of the game “ready to go,” but it’s not likely to arrive this year.
“It just takes time for the big beast known as Microsoft to get moving,” Emmert said. “I really have no explanation other than that, because it’s as baffling to developers as it is to everyone else.”
Asked if Champions Online, which hits the streets for PC this week, will arrive anytime soon, Emmert said, “This year? I don’t know.”
“Right now we’re just talking with Microsoft. Right now the ball is firmly in their court,” he told VG247. “We’re ready to go, but until we get the go ahead from Microsoft, right now we’re sort of waiting.”
MS Foot-Dragging on 360 MMOs is ‘Baffling’ says Cryptic Boss [VG247 via Joystiq]
Mass Effect: Pinnacle Station Micro-Review: A Curious Experiment
What if Mass Effect was multiplayer? What if there was a way to get a taste of that, even if it was just in a solo mode? Now, strangely, there is.
Mass Effect: Pinnacle Station is the barely-hyped second downloadable expansion for BioWare’s 2007 sci-fi game, a brief, belated and broken extra for a game already bursting with content.
It’s an expansion about which I have more negative things to say than positive.
But I like it. Odd? Yes, well so is the content, which is a hint at, of all things, the multiplayer potential of Mass Effect.
Loved
Little and Late Yes, I like that this is a small oddity. I like that this is a drip of an expansion that got me playing Mass Effect, for just three more hours, 14 months after I last touched the sci-fi game. We can have our DLCs that meaningfully add new satisfying adventures to our favorite titles, that offer new modes of play or new maps to explore. But I’m happy to plunk five bucks down on what feels like an experiment. All Pinnacle Station entails is a trip to a space station in an asteroid belt and, in that station, 13 combat missions set up in a holo-deck-style simulator. Missions are set in five geologically distinct, walled levels and require the player to do one of the following: Kill a set number of enemies in a time trial; kill as many enemies as possible with each kill adding seconds to a countdown clock; gain control of a set number of checkpoints; or survive waves of enemy attacks as long as possible. These are the standard tasks not of the sprawling single-player role-playing game adventure that we knew to be Mass Effect but of many a multiplayer mode in other games. Play it. Imagine your AI squadmates are controlled by people and you too will be able to answer the question: Hmm, would I like Mass Effect as a multiplayer game?
Hated
Kobayashi Maru: I think I’m on to some meta joke that BioWare is pulling. Star Trek lore includes the Kobayashi Maru, an impossible computer-simulation scenario that only a cheater can win. I could describe Pinnacle Station the same way. The DLC requires that the player place first in each of its simulator challenges in order to complete this mini-adventure, but the missions are tuned in strange ways. Some missions are a cinch at the default difficulty. A few required me to drop the combat challenge to “novice” and then breeze through. I was using a Level 50 character for this, and, glancing around the Internet, I am not the only one doubting this DLC was properly balanced.
An Advertisement For The Future: Bring on early 2010 and Mass Effect 2, so I don’t have to relive anymore the original game’s awkward texture pop-in, un-interruptible dialogue, slow loading, awkward pause-based combat, and cumbersome inventory system. All being fixed for ME2, right? Please? This DLC doesn’t fix Mass Effect’s annoyances, not that I expected it to.
Pinnacle Station is similar to Fable II’s See The Future pack in that it’s kind of crazy. It is not a satisfying addendum to a beloved adventure but rather an unneeded appendix some bizarro-surgeon decided to put back into the organism.
That’s why I liked it. And, yes, I’d take some Mass Effect multiplayer if there’s any to be had.
(Mass Effect: Pinnacle Station was developed by BioWare and published by EA for the Xbox 360 and PC on August 25. Retails for 400 Microsoft points ($5). Played through on my Xbox 360 to the odd reward at its conclusion, over the course of three hours and two minutes. Read this note before you buy it, and don’t hate me for writing it.)
A Reignited Console War Means A Happy Holiday For Gamers
The long-simmering war between the Playstation 3, Wii and Xbox 360 has boiled over in time for the holidays thanks to dual price drops that put all three consoles within $50 of each other.
In a much anticipated move, Sony announced a new $300 model for their Playstation 3 in Cologne, Germany during the Gamescom convention on Aug. 18. The PS3, nicknamed the Playstation 3 Slim, features a 120GB harddrive and is a third smaller and more than a third lighter than its predecessors.
Ten days later, Microsoft announced that their top-of-the-line Xbox 360 Elite, which also features a 120GB harddrive, was getting a $100 price drop to $300.
The new Xbox 360 price kicked in on Aug. 28, Sony’s new lower-priced model started showing up in stores the same week.
The Xbox 360’s director of product management, Aaron Greenberg, told Kotaku that the timing was coincidental, driven more by Microsoft’s ability to save money on internal components than by Sony’s news.
“I think it’s a bit coincidental, but it’s also somewhat logical with both (Sony and Microsoft) making price adjustments at this time of the year because we are turning the corner of the holiday season,” he said.
But Greenberg acknowledged that, with both consoles coming in at the same price, people will be more likely to compare the two when shopping for a new gaming platform.
“We feel like we shape up pretty well to that comparison,” he said, pointing out that Microsoft also sells a basic version of the Xbox 360 for $200.
“I really think that we are at a point now where it’s less about the back of the box and more about the types of experiences,” he added. “We have a larger line-up (of games) and this holiday, look at our exclusives: Halo 3: ODST, Forza 3, new Grand Theft Auto content.
“If you say (Microsoft and Sony) have two SKUs at the same price point, we are the hands down winner. That’s why, I think, we are the only company growing this year, while Sony is seeing sharp declines.”
On paper at least, Sony’s Playstation 3 does seem to have some obvious advantages, most notably a built-in Blu-ray player, something the company will make sure consumers don’t forget.
“PlayStation 3 has always had incredible value and now at an even more attractive $299 price point, paired with a new, and aggressive, advertising campaign, we expect to have an incredible holiday in both hardware and content sales,” said Patrick Seybold, Senior Director, Corporate Communications for Sony Computer Entertainment of America. “PlayStation 3 is the most superior entertainment console on the market and while the price point and the size of the HDD may be at parity between the two consoles, the similarities stop there. With a BD drive, built in wi-fi, free access to PlayStation Network and the best gaming content available, there really is no comparison to PlayStation 3.”
Seybold declined to speculate on the timing of Microsoft’s price drop, but said Sony’s not concerned about it.
“We’re confident the value of PS3 at $299 surpasses anything else on the market, and our amazing line up of first and third party titles, matched with the incredible evolution of PlayStation Network make PlayStation the clear choice for those looking for the best in entertainment.”
Dropping the price of both Sony and Microsoft’s top-tier consoles to $300 also means that Nintendo could see a bit more direct competition with its $250 Wii.
Nintendo has come under increasing pressure to drop the price of their console, which still sells at the same price as the day it launched in 2006.
During an investors meeting, Nintendo president Satoru Iwata told those present that a slowdown in sales wasn’t due to the console’s price, but the number of big hits coming to the Wii.
He added that there currently “aren’t a lot of discussions going on about what exactly to do about hardware pricing.”
But with Wii sales flattening and consumers looking for more bang for their buck this holiday, it would be a smart decision.
Denise Kaigler, Nintendo of America’s vice president of corporate affairs, said that Nintendo sales forecast remains unchanged despite the PS3 and Xbox 360’s price drops.
“Our focus has always been on creating fun and engaging game-play experiences,” Kaigler said. “Because of that focus, Wii has been the best-selling video game system in the United States for two years and counting. It offers the most fun and the best value for consumers. Wii can be played by every member of the family the moment it comes out of the box. It’s the only console that offers the option of precision motion controls right now, with the Wii MotionPlus accessory. And Nintendo systems are the only place you can play new and classic Nintendo franchises. Wii games that will be on people’s lists through the holidays include Wii Sports Resort, Metroid Prime: Trilogy, Wii Fit Plus and New Super Mario Bros. Wii.
“Nintendo offers something for everyone.”
Microsoft and Sony both told Kotaku that they plan to heavily market their new prices during the holidays pointing out to consumers all the things they get for their $300.
“This holiday,” Greenberg said, “is all about value.”
Well Played is a weekly news and opinion column about the big stories of the week in the gaming industry and its bigger impact on things to come. Feel free to join in the discussion.
A Reignited Console War Means A Happy Holiday For Gamers
The long-simmering war between the Playstation 3, Wii and Xbox 360 has boiled over in time for the holidays thanks to dual price drops that put all three consoles within $50 of each other.
In a much anticipated move, Sony announced a new $300 model for their Playstation 3 in Cologne, Germany during the Gamescom convention on Aug. 18. The PS3, nicknamed the Playstation 3 Slim, features a 120GB harddrive and is a third smaller and more than a third lighter than its predecessors.
Ten days later, Microsoft announced that their top-of-the-line Xbox 360 Elite, which also features a 120GB harddrive, was getting a $100 price drop to $300.
The new Xbox 360 price kicked in on Aug. 28, Sony’s new lower-priced model started showing up in stores the same week.
The Xbox 360’s director of product management, Aaron Greenberg, told Kotaku that the timing was coincidental, driven more by Microsoft’s ability to save money on internal components than by Sony’s news.
“I think it’s a bit coincidental, but it’s also somewhat logical with both (Sony and Microsoft) making price adjustments at this time of the year because we are turning the corner of the holiday season,” he said.
But Greenberg acknowledged that, with both consoles coming in at the same price, people will be more likely to compare the two when shopping for a new gaming platform.
“We feel like we shape up pretty well to that comparison,” he said, pointing out that Microsoft also sells a basic version of the Xbox 360 for $200.
“I really think that we are at a point now where it’s less about the back of the box and more about the types of experiences,” he added. “We have a larger line-up (of games) and this holiday, look at our exclusives: Halo 3: ODST, Forza 3, new Grand Theft Auto content.
“If you say (Microsoft and Sony) have two SKUs at the same price point, we are the hands down winner. That’s why, I think, we are the only company growing this year, while Sony is seeing sharp declines.”
On paper at least, Sony’s Playstation 3 does seem to have some obvious advantages, most notably a built-in Blu-ray player, something the company will make sure consumers don’t forget.
“PlayStation 3 has always had incredible value and now at an even more attractive $299 price point, paired with a new, and aggressive, advertising campaign, we expect to have an incredible holiday in both hardware and content sales,” said Patrick Seybold, Senior Director, Corporate Communications for Sony Computer Entertainment of America. “PlayStation 3 is the most superior entertainment console on the market and while the price point and the size of the HDD may be at parity between the two consoles, the similarities stop there. With a BD drive, built in wi-fi, free access to PlayStation Network and the best gaming content available, there really is no comparison to PlayStation 3.”
Seybold declined to speculate on the timing of Microsoft’s price drop, but said Sony’s not concerned about it.
“We’re confident the value of PS3 at $299 surpasses anything else on the market, and our amazing line up of first and third party titles, matched with the incredible evolution of PlayStation Network make PlayStation the clear choice for those looking for the best in entertainment.”
Dropping the price of both Sony and Microsoft’s top-tier consoles to $300 also means that Nintendo could see a bit more direct competition with its $250 Wii.
Nintendo has come under increasing pressure to drop the price of their console, which still sells at the same price as the day it launched in 2006.
During an investors meeting, Nintendo president Satoru Iwata told those present that a slowdown in sales wasn’t due to the console’s price, but the number of big hits coming to the Wii.
He added that there currently “aren’t a lot of discussions going on about what exactly to do about hardware pricing.”
But with Wii sales flattening and consumers looking for more bang for their buck this holiday, it would be a smart decision.
Denise Kaigler, Nintendo of America’s vice president of corporate affairs, said that Nintendo sales forecast remains unchanged despite the PS3 and Xbox 360’s price drops.
“Our focus has always been on creating fun and engaging game-play experiences,” Kaigler said. “Because of that focus, Wii has been the best-selling video game system in the United States for two years and counting. It offers the most fun and the best value for consumers. Wii can be played by every member of the family the moment it comes out of the box. It’s the only console that offers the option of precision motion controls right now, with the Wii MotionPlus accessory. And Nintendo systems are the only place you can play new and classic Nintendo franchises. Wii games that will be on people’s lists through the holidays include Wii Sports Resort, Metroid Prime: Trilogy, Wii Fit Plus and New Super Mario Bros. Wii.
“Nintendo offers something for everyone.”
Microsoft and Sony both told Kotaku that they plan to heavily market their new prices during the holidays pointing out to consumers all the things they get for their $300.
“This holiday,” Greenberg said, “is all about value.”
Well Played is a weekly news and opinion column about the big stories of the week in the gaming industry and its bigger impact on things to come. Feel free to join in the discussion.
Star Wars: The Old Republic – Enter The Sith Warrior
Fear, anger, and hatred fuel the latest character class revealed by BioWare for Star Wars: The Old Republic, the Sith Warrior; the death knights of the Star Wars universe.
The Sith Warriors are front line fighters who inspire fear and loyalty in their comrades, which certainly sounds like your standard MMO definition of a death knight. Unlike their light-sided counterparts, the Sith Warrior has no qualms with wearing heavy armor, often replacing bits of themselves with cybernetic devices to help keep their opponents on their toes. And like a death knight, the Sith Warrior uses the Force to terrify, paralyze, and kill his or her enemies.
Head on over to the official web page for the Sith Warrior and memorize what you read there; I’ve a feeling you’ll be seeing a great many of these guys once Star Wars: The Old Republic goes live.
Things A UPS Man Allegedly Stole
The Fort Myers News Press lists nearly 100 items allegedly stolen by a UPS driver in Cape Coral, Florida. It is an extraordinary haul, full of game consoles and a surprising amount of weapons.
This is the video game portion of the list, with the prices included as presented by the News Press.
Nintendo Wii: $400
PlayStation 3: $449
PlayStation 3: $499
PlayStation 3: $499
Xbox 360: $400
Here’s a non-gaming part of the same list:
Garmin GPS: $300
Cobra GPS with Bluetooth: $450
Winchester 70 35 REM: $6,500
Ruger pistol: $347
Smith & Wesson: $350
Glock 27 in case: $500
…
Blow gun ninja sword set: $366
Ninja stars swords: $400
Compound bow: $700
Cape Coral police dept. badge: $50
Second Chance ballistic vest: $800
Second Chance ballistic vest female: $800
The driver has been charged with the theft of more than $100,000 worth of items that were not delivered as intended. His wife have been charged with dealing stolen goods, according to the News Press.
There may be no hard news to take away from this that will enrich your gaming life, but the rundown of items is too extraordinary not to share. Check out the article for the full list.
Wife of charged Cape Coral UPS driver arrested in theft case [News-Press]
New PS3 Ads Tease Internet Rumors, Lazy Boyfriends
Amazingly enough, Sony’s new U.S PlayStation 3 ads actually make sense, and have a sense of humor. The first spot is a tongue-in-cheek look at pricing rumors (hey!), while the second spruiks the joys of the Interwebs.
Maybe this might finally shake my nightmares of that freaky Sony devil baby.
Sony’s corp-speak for its campaign is “It Does Everything“. Yeah, it’s got Blu-ray and Wi-Fi—but as Adam noted yesterday—it all depends on your setup. And anyway, the games are what’s important. See: PS3 Slim Vs. Xbox 360 Elite Hardware: Pretty Cut and Dry. [Sony]
Sakura Note, For The Nintendo DS
Marvelous Entertainment’s creative experiments with Nintendo platforms just keep on keepin’ on, with the release later this year of Sakura Note, an adventure game for the DS.
Not much is known about the game other than the fact it’s an adventure title and is set in a small town, where a young girl is being haunted by ghosts. But plenty is known about the game’s staff, which includes Akira Ueda (Contact), Nobuo Uematsu & Hideo Minaba (Final Fantasy), Kazushige Nojima (Kingdom Hearts) and Kenichiro Takagi (Half-Minute Hero).
Can’t wait to see more, especially if the Contact-esque art style in the image above (from the game’s teaser site) makes its way through to the rest of the game.
[via 1UP]
